School Me on E46 IX Tourings

[Polaris15]

So I've got a buddy in the market for an awd wagon. He's got 15-17k to spend and he's interested in the 3 series wagons. He wants something with 80k miles or less.

Curious as to what he will be looking at for maintenance costs.

Cooling systems- How much how often? He is not a mechanic.
Suspension- How much how often?
I know sub frames can be an issue here on the early models but I think with his price range he will be getting a late model so those shouldn't be an issue.

I know I should search but I wanted him to be able to continue to follow this thread and read up. We appreciate the help!

Cheers:drink:

[redsubdivisions]

Cooling is the same as a regular E46; expansion tank, hoses, thermostat, water pump, and use genuine stuff if possible. Don't overheat it otherwise that M54 will be a giant paperweight in no time. I have seen firsthand what an M54 looks like when its overheated and it's no bueno.

Suspension won't be too bad, but on an ix, doing control arm bushings (which is a common occurence) isn't something you would want to do without having a lot of free time or having an indy do it.

Sub frame issues were on early models and had a very small number of cars affected. I think he might be good to go in that department, especially if he is getting a later/face lift model.

I have an E46 and it is a fantastic daily driver but as with all BMWs, they need to be kept up to date with maintenance. Make sure the previous owner has prior service records.

[Todd Black 88]

I had an e46 xit as a daily for 10 years.

A stated, the common e46 cooling issues are the same on the xi cars.
The xi cars EAT cv joint boots with unbelievable regularity. Like every three years.
Autos EAT brakes. You will be doing them every couple years if the car is a daily.
Subframe issues were not an issue with xi cars.
Ccvv issues just like any other e46
Rear springs break
Rear shocks blow, and it's best to replace with e36 m3 bilstiens.
M54 oil leaks are normal

[bighitbiker3]

Cooling system should be replaced around 90K miles on the E46s. I replaced the entire thing on mine, paid about $4-500 for the parts and just did it myself. It's not a hard job and there are a ton of DIYs.

As the above said, the majority of subframe issues occurred on cars built before like April of '03 i'm pretty sure

[Northern]

I've always been told that the e46 awd is just a series of open diffs with traction control attempting to control wheel slip, which if it is true, sounds pretty shitty to me.

[nando]

I've always been told that the e46 awd is just a series of open diffs with traction control attempting to control wheel slip, which if it is true, sounds pretty shitty to me.

this is true. for pedestrian use it's OK, but it's definitely not the best system ever conceived. but it was inexpensive to build..

are E46 xi's really $15k? that seems like way too much money to me..

[Polaris15]

Good info guys. He wants a touring with low miles so he's thinking 15k at the high number.

[Todd Black 88]

I traded mine in with 190,000 kilometers, for $5500.
15k would get you in an M3

[Polaris15]

Heh he wants a wagon, not an M3. I just said he has up to 15k.

[totheredline]

i just sold my 325xit 5 speed. theyre great cars.

Suspension components are probably a third more expensive than the RWD models. the rear end suspension is exactly the same. Xis dont have rear subframe issues because of the torque split between front and rear.

[naplesE30]

15k is e91 money.. I would be looking at an 2003 e39 wagon if I were in your friends shoes.

[Polaris15]

Found a 2003 325ixt for him with 78k for 12k certified per owned 1 owner. Looks like it would be a good fit.

[naplesE30]

bmw certified? I thought they only certified up to 5yr 100k? meaning your paying a lot for certification for only another 22k miles.

[Swanny]

15k is e91 money.. I would be looking at an 2003 e39 wagon if I were in your friends shoes.

This. The two are only a few hundred pounds different in weight and the m54 will feel more powerful in the rwd vs awd. The e39 is also much roomier in comparison. My touring did AMAZING in the snow. Not sure what your friend will be doing or going for the need of awd.



My car is lowered and handled snow over 6 inches deep without even blinking last winter.

Just food for thought!

[TobyB]

The xi cars EAT cv joint boots with unbelievable regularity. Like every three years.

Yeah, they do. And the torque vectoring is kind of wierd at slow speeds and high
turn rates.

The later cars have the ability to control the diffs beyond brakes-
Jenn's can lock fronts to rears, at least, as I've been able to change
brake pads (yes, they DO use these at a prodigous rate too, even the manuals)
without having to lower the wheel to torque the bolts.

They have very good AWD ability- better than the old truck with no center diff
and a LSD in back. And enough power.

But it's an E46 with even more parts that need attention, so they do need to
be maintained periodically.

Ours, for some reason, is on its 4th thermostat. For example...

It's her car, but I'm more than a bit envious...

t